DIY Network

Breaking Ground: Solving a Footer Problem From "Home IQ" episode DHIQ-102

With the footer set, the surveyor returns to put in pins so that the block layers can lay down the block, but the surveyor finds a problem with the footer. Viewers will see how he and the site supervisor try to resolve the problem by adding an additional section to the footer. For waterproofing, Brad Oberg decides to add an asphalt membrane to the footer to protect the basement from water damage. After this is done, Brad returns to the site to check on the progress.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	During the footer process, homeowner Brad Oberg discovered that the natural grade of the site would allow for extra space in the basement. "When we looked at the cost, it turned out that for less than $1,000 we could make this [the extra basement section] occupied space. That was like a no-brainer!" For 600 square feet of extra storage space isn't bad for only $1,000.

• While laying the pins for the block layers, the surveyor found a problem that could dramatically affect the layout of the home. The footer for the inside wall of the garage up against the house was off by approximately a foot. Fortunately the footer was poured in "virgin" ground, which meant that the builder just had to have that section of footer re-poured, which meant bringing the mixer back out to the property. To fix the problem, an addition section was added (figure A).

• Typically at this point the mason would start the foundation, but homeowner Brad Oberg wanted something added for his home that would help prevent water from getting in his basement -- a new technology for footers called Tuff-N-Dri® Basement Waterproofing System." On the footer an asphalt membrane is sprayed on (figure B), and what it does is break the two porous materials from capillary action, which means water will rise up through the footer to the block and "not" down into the basement, which will help in preventing mold and mildew or rotting of any kind.

• The asphalt membrane also will be sprayed on the basement walls as soon as they are completed.

RESOURCES :

Tuff-N-Dri® Basement Waterproofing System
Tremco Barrier Solutions, Inc.
Website: www.guaranteeddrybasements.com

Land Excavation
Crea Excavating, Inc.
1315 Pleasant Hills Rd.
Wexford, PA 15090-6807
Phone: 724-935-2959

GUESTS :

Brad and Lynn Oberg
Homeowners
Company: IBACOS (Brad)
Title: Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
Website: www.ibacos.com

Henry (Hank) Swierczynski
President
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: buildm@zoominternet.net

Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: gcrbs@adelphia.net

Debbie Mondell
Mortgage Consultant
Sky Bank
700 Lawrence Ave.
Ellwood City, PA 16117-1932
Phone Direct: 724-758-1722
Phone: 724-758-5568
Fax: 724-758-0279
E-mail: mondel@sky-bank.com

Jim Sperdute
Surveyor / Project Manager
Sperdute Land Surveyors
108 Deer Lane
Harmony, PA 16037
Phone: 724-452-4362
Fax: 724-452-9357
E-mail: pasurvey@zbzoomnet

Anthony Grisolia
Building Performance Specialist
IBACOS, Inc.
Website: www.ibacos.com